Outlook: Repeating as Pac-12 South champs will be no small task for the Bruins, who travel to Stanford, Oregon and USC. They have plenty of star power in quarterback Brett Hundley and linebacker Anthony Barr, who heads one of the top linebacker units around. But the Bruins are mostly unproven at the skill positions, aside from wideout Shaquelle Evans. Guard Xavier Su'a-Filo returned from an LDS Church mission to earn all-conference honors in 2012. Good news for UCLA: An infusion of young talent is on the way, including Notre Dame-transfer defensive end Eddie Vanderdoes.

Outlook: Count Arizona State among the favorites, if not the favorite, in the Pac-12 South. All-American defensive tackle Will Sutton turned down big dollars by not entering the NFL draft and will be a force again this year. Quarterback Taylor Kelly set a school record for completion percentage in 2012. He will throw to a very green receiver corps. Marion Grice and D.J. Foster are a deadly 1-2 punch at running back. Although the defense looks imposing behind Sutton, the secondary is questionable.

Outlook: From a preseason No. 1 ranking to a 7-6 finish and the drama that came with it, USC was widely regarded as the most disappointing team of 2012. Lane Kiffin might not survive a mediocre 2013. The Trojans are stacked at the skill positions, led by Biletnikoff winner Marqise Lee, running back Silas Redd and tight ends Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer. The offensive line is experienced, and the Trojans' new 5-2 scheme fits well with their personnel. Linebackers Hayes Pullard and Lamar Dawson anchor a defense that has much to prove. Replacing Matt Barkley at quarterback is a tall order, but the strong-armed Max Wittek and the fleet-footed Cody Kessler both look promising.

Outlook: Expectations are high for Arizona in its second year under Rich Rodriguez. The Wildcats just might sneak into the conference title game behind Heisman hopeful running back Ka'Deem Carey. Replacing quarterback Matt Scott won't be easy, neither will coping with the loss of receiver Austin Hill, who tore an ACL in spring and likely won't be back until midseason. The defense returns 11 players with starting experience. Middle linebacker Jake Fischer led the team in tackles in 2012, while outside linebacker Marquis Flowers was tops in sacks and interceptions and second in tackles. The secondary is deep and experienced.

Outlook: Utah failed to make a bowl game for the first time in nine years last season. With nine starters back and crossover games against Oregon and Stanford on the schedule, the Utes could be in for their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1989-90. They're replacing a pair of standouts in running back John White and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. Quarterback Travis Wilson showed flashes last year and will be heavily relied on. The Utes have some experience on offense, with wideouts Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott and tight end Jake Murphy. The defense returns four quality starters in ends Trevor Reilly and Nate Orchard, linebacker Brian Blechen and safety Eric Rowe.

Outlook: When it comes to righting the ship for a struggling program, no coach is more proven than Mike MacIntyre, who in three years turned the moribund San Jose State Spartans into a top 25 team. Colorado's hiring of MacIntyre breathed life into the Buffaloes, but anything more than a couple of wins might be too much to ask of them in 2013. They have bona fide standouts in receiver Paul Richardson, defensive end Chidera Uzo-Diribe, running back Christian Powell and punter Darragh O'Neill. But they have issues at quarterback, their defense was one of the worst in the country in 2012 and they have no depth on the offensive line.

Outlook: Despite Chip Kelly's departure to the NFL, Oregon is poised to compete for the conference title and a BCS National Championship berth under Mark Helfrich. The Ducks finished No. 2 in the final AP poll in 2012 and return nine starters to their blur offense, led by Heisman Trophy candidates De'Anthony Thomas and Marcus Mariota, and seven on defense. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu headlines a very deep secondary that is as stingy as they come. The Ducks don't play USC or Arizona State during the regular season, and they have a bye week before their Nov. 7 showdown at Stanford.

Outlook: The Cardinal faces a tough road to repeat as conference champion, but it has the right pieces to do that and make a fourth straight BCS bowl appearance. Stanford ranked fifth in the nation against the run in 2012, and its vaunted front seven returns five starters. Among them are prized linebackers Shayne Skov and Trent Murphy, and playmaking ends Ben Gardner and Henry Anderson. Led by guard David Yankey, Stanford's offensive line is a veteran group and one of the finest in the country. Star quarterback Kevin Hogan was 5-0 as a starter last year.

Outlook: The conference's surprise team in 2012, Oregon State climbed to as high as No. 7 in the BCS standings before dropping four of its final seven games. Three of those losses were by four points or less. With a back-loaded schedule, the Beavers could turn heads again early this year. But to take the next step, they will need steadier play from their offensive line and more of the same from their defense, which ranked 30th in the nation a year ago. The Beavers return their leading tackler from 2012 in linebacker Michael Doctor. Brandin Cooks is a budding standout at receiver, same with running back Storm Woods. It would help if Cody Vaz or Sean Mannion locked up the starting job under center.

Outlook: With seven starters back from a vastly improved defense, and a talented core of skill players on offense, including arguably the nation's best tight end in Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the Huskies look capable of climbing into the upper tier of the Pac-12. They need quarterback Keith Price to return to his 2011 form. Wideout Kasen Williams broke out in 2012, as did linebacker Shaq Williams. However, the offensive and defensive lines are questionable and the Huskies' schedule doesn't do them any favors. It starts with a marquee opener against Boise State in newly renovated Husky Stadium. The pressure is on Steve Sarkisian to deliver more after three straight seven-win seasons.

Outlook: The Bears have the perfect mix of receivers for first-year coach Sonny Dykes' "Bear Raid" offense, but don't expect a stark improvement from them this year. Aside from wideouts Bryce Treggs and Chris Harper and running back Brendan Bigelow, Cal's offense is vastly unproven with three returning starters and an unproven quarterback in freshman Jared Goff, who beat out Zach Kline during the summer. The defense, which features nose tackle Deandre Coleman, linebacker Nick Forbes and safety Ryan Murphy, is a pinch more promising.

Outlook: Washington State scored a major upset over Washington in the Apple Cup, but Year 1 under Mike Leach was mostly a disappointment. A better finish in 2013 won't come easy. There is reason to be optimistic about the Cougars' defense, which returns eight starters. Those include a ball-hawk safety in Deone Bucannon and a pair of physical linebackers in Logan Mayes and Darryl Monroe. Offensively, wideout Gabe Marks should have a huge season. Junior quarterback Connor Halliday had a great spring camp. The Cougars are desperate for production at running back.

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